Te Rito, Te Kura Taiao
About Te Rito, Te Kura Taiao
Te Rito, Te Kura Taiao is a Year 1–12 (including Year 13 in 2027) Māori immersion kura based in Koekoeā, Doubtless Bay, Northland. The kura provides a learning environment grounded in te ao Māori, with a strong focus on nurturing identity, language, and connection to te taiao (the natural environment).
Te Rito, Te Kura Taiao also provides an educational pathway for mokopuna transitioning from Te Rito’s puna reo in the area, supporting the continuation of Māori medium education throughout their schooling journey.
Key information
- Language of instruction: Te Reo Māori
- Distinguishing characteristic: Full immersion in te reo Māori as principal language of instruction and within a kaupapa Māori setting
- Curriculum: Te Marautanga o Aotearoa
- Qualification: New Zealand
- Open date: Term 1, 2025
- Sponsor: Te Rito Limited
Key links
- School website: Te Rito School NZ
- School social media: Paeāhua | Pukamata
- Education Counts listing: Te Rito - Te Kura Taiao: Profile and Contact Details | Education Counts
Reporting
Read Te Rito, Te Kura Taiao 2025 Annual Report
Rolls
The table below shows the establishment rolls and actual roll returns.
|
Roll type |
Number of students |
|
March 2025 roll return |
45 |
|
March 2026 roll return |
110 |
|
Establishment roll |
55 |
Establishment rolls reflect expected enrolments in ‘Term 5’.
Establishment rolls are used for establishment funding (a one-off payment to cover set up costs) and some funding components in the first year. Both new state and charter schools receive establishment funding.
Learn more about rolls at charter schools
Performance thresholds and monitoring
All schools including charter schools are assigned an Equity Index number (EQI). This EQI determines the performance thresholds that charter schools are contracted to meet.
In 2026 Te Rito, Te Kura Taiao, falls in the more EQI group.
Te Rito, Te Kura Taiao is assessed against the following:
|
Measure |
Performance threshold |
|
Regular attendance |
35% |
|
Student achievement (Years 3-10) - reading |
30% |
|
Student achievement (Years 3-10) - writing and maths |
25% |
|
Student achievement (Years 11-13) |
65% |
Achievement measures are the percentage of students achieving at or above the expected curriculum level.
A school’s first year is its baseline year. Schools are monitored against this baseline and their minimum performance thresholds. The Authorisation Board can step in if they are not meeting these thresholds.
Schools are expected not only to meet the minimum requirements but to keep improving and work towards the government’s overall education targets.
Read more about performance thresholds
Application
Below is Te Rito Limited's original application to open its school. All sponsors must submit an application like this, and it helps the Charter School Authorisation Board (CSAB) decide whether to approve a school.
The application may not fully reflect how Te Rito, Te Kura Taiao operates today. This is because the school can change over time through further discussions with the CSAB, contract negotiations, the establishment process, and the staff and students involved.
Commercially sensitive details have been redacted.
Read the original application for Te Rito, Te Kura Taiao